(19)
(11) EP 0 426 495 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
21.10.1992 Bulletin 1992/43

(43) Date of publication A2:
08.05.1991 Bulletin 1991/19

(21) Application number: 90312040.0

(22) Date of filing: 02.11.1990
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5: H04N 1/46, B41J 2/175, H04N 1/12, H04N 1/04, H04N 1/387
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB

(30) Priority: 03.11.1989 US 431506

(71) Applicant: AMHERST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
New York, New York 10021 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Kennet, Robert H.
    Nashua, New Hampshire, 03031 (US)
  • Herod, Franklyn J., Jr.
    Bedford, New Hampshire, 03102 (US)

(74) Representative: Heath, Derek James et al
BROMHEAD & CO. 19 Buckingham Street
London WC2N 6EF
London WC2N 6EF (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Fluid deposition system for producing processed color images


    (57) The invention is embodied in a system which includes a color video camera, a color monitor, a central processing unit, and a printer. The printer includes a specially designed printhead assembly. The printhead assembly includes three independent cartridge support stations, and an optical reader support station. Each of the cartridge support stations is designed to accept a thermal ink jet cartridge. The cartridges are held by a cartridge frame which is designed to maintain close tolerance in the relative positions of the cartridges. The printhead assembly rides along a rail parallel to substrate support rollers. An optical reader is used to read a U.P.C. label which has image size and position information built into the U.P.C. code. While the system is specifically designed to be used in printing images on a Mylar® balloon, the system may be used to deposit a wide variety of liquids with a high degree of precision and repeatability. In the particular application shown, the cartridges each contain one of the primary colors of yellow, magenta and cyan so that the system can be used to produce processed color images.







    Search report